SSSS and cap - what is the SOP?
 

This is in LAX Terminal 8 flying to SJC on SkyWest/UEX

Had SSSS (domestic leg of travel back from S.America) so went through the drill. Only after I was on my way to the gates I realized that no one bothered about my cap (they did about the shoes of course). No wanding over head, nothing. I usually remove the cap at checkpoints, but this time I just forgot.

So my question is what is your experience with SSSS and wearing cap at checkpoints? Shouldn't TSA be concerned about people wearing caps at checkpoints as technically anything could have been there?

On a related note, why on earth am I getting SSSS consistently of United flights if I take them within US as part of international itenarary? I don't get SSSS on United if travel is within US, but the moment I have international connection I get SSSS (ex: had SSSS for SFO-IAD as part of trip to GRU)

Regards

Welcome to FT!

Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? ;) Your name is probably close to someone that is being observed. Lots of information has been written on the issue. Here's a link to the advanced search feature. You could enter the keywords you want in the "search by keyword" section, and select "travel safety/security" in search in forums. Hope this helps!

Caps normally don't have to be searched unless you bypass the metal detector and go for a full body pat down or if it alarms during a wanding. If it ever alarms, you will be asked to remove it and it will be inspected. Otherwise, your fine.

Again, a TSA rule that makes no sense. There's about the same amount of room for plastic explosives in a loose-fitting cap than there is in a running shoe with a 1" sole.

I too have worn caps through security on occasion (though never when SSSS'ed) and have never been asked to remove them.

If you're wearing a ball cap and the button on the top of the hat is metal, it will alarm the hand-held metal detector but probably not the walk-thru.

Yes there is room in a cap .. but what consists a hypthetical threat in the eyes
of security creatures is beyond comprehension anyway.
I like to wear a very light scarf on planes which do not allow to control the
amount of airflow (such as some 763).
Every single time, I have to put the scarf on the belt. Always being told -
politely - that the scarf could conceal an item.
With that argument, we could all end up in underwear or worse.

Eventually, TSA will realize these caps can conceal functional brains, and you'll be asked to remove your skull so they can wand the cerebrum. Now hop out of those shoes and let's not have any trouble...